Farmers start selling produce at Petron stations

San Miguel Corporation (SMC) has opened its first local
farm produce stands in two Petron stations as it prepares to open more such
stores throughout Metro Manila to help provide outlets for local farmers to
sell their crops during these difficult times.

The two fresh produce stores it opened up are located at
Petron Katipunan, near La Vista subdivision and Petron Zabarte station in
Caloocan. Both are operated by the Department of Agriculture (DA).

The program, which is in support of the DA’s “Kadiwa ng
Ani at Kita” nationwide agri market program, aims to provide local farmers a
ready market for their products, especially at this time when the Covid-19
pandemic has significantly restricted access to markets.

At the same time, it makes fresh, healthy produce more
easily accessible to consumers via Petron’s vast network of gas stations.

“During this time of crisis, our farmers, livestock
raisers, fishermen, and everyone in the agricultural sector, are also unsung
heroes. We depend on them for our food supply. And yet, they are also among the
most vulnerable to the crisis, especially since quarantine restrictions also
impact their access to their traditional markets,” SMC president Ramon S. Ang
said in a statement Sunday.

Ang said they are grateful to DA Secretary William Dar
for giving SMC the chance to help the farmers through its Kadiwa program.

“This way, our farmers can still continue their
livelihood even during this pandemic,” he said. “At the same time, we will help
boost food accessibility for our citizens, who are asked to limit their
movement to essential activities during the quarantine.”

Earlier, SMC rolled out the first 30 of its target 90
refrigerated van-cum-rolling stores, now situated at various Petron stations.
The trucks bring fresh poultry, meats, and ready-to-eat food closer to
consumers.

Meanwhile, six Petron Treats convenience stores — out of
a target 50 branches — have also started doubling as pick-up/fulfillment stores
for San Miguel Foods Inc.’s new online ordering
platform, www.order.sanmiguelfoods.com.

Ang further said Petron Corporation and San Miguel Foods
Inc., both major businesses under SMC, are currently finalizing plans with the
DA to roll out the next farmers’ produce outlets.

In a statement, Dar said: “Our partnerships with the
LGUs, the private sector like SMC and Petron, and farmers’ and fisherfolk’s
groups, attain what we at the Department of Agriculture wanted all along to
institutionalize, that is, ensure farmers of a ready market for their produce
and a steady income stream, and provide consumers with affordable, healthy and
nutritious food. Further, along the process, we also help stabilize the prices
of basic commodities.”

Implemented by the DA’s Agribusiness and Marketing Assistance
Service, the Kadiwa program has four variants: Kadiwa on Wheels (vans,
jeepneys, trucks, etc.); Kadiwa Retail (fixed location); Kadiwa Express
(transport of products to offloading points where LGUs or private sector can
collect their orders), and Kadiwa online (eKadiwa.da.gov.ph).